#non request

You don't know how or why she took such a peculiar liking to you, all you know is that one day you and Kelly had a bond not many could find or keep in the Southern Front

Her tone softens around you, just enough for you to notice but not enough for others to point out.

While Kelly is a lieutenant of sixty, she is not any more powerful than that. She reminds you of this occasionally, to keep you from trying to win over any favors.

She'll still arrange for you to mostly get chores that you tolerate, or even enjoy.

Also, Kelly will stop other soldiers from bothering you. She's almost constantly standing near you or having you follow her, and she stands watch over your bunk and belongings like a hawk.

Will openly deny this if you mention it.

"Dunno what you're talking about. Get back to work....please."

She has an image to maintain, one of unrelenting strength and authority.

To be honest, she's not too sure what to do with you. You remind her of something entirely and wholly human that she tried to bury a while back.

"You, er...Just come with me. Please" "You're joining me, if you...would like to."

More polite and careful with her words when talking to you. Kelly's assertive tone used for ordering people around often bleeds into her usual way of speaking, and she'd hate to scare you off.

Rests her head on you like how dogs do.

If you're shorter than her, she'll come up from behind and wrap her arms around you while laying her head either on top of yours on or on your shoulder.

If you're (somehow?) taller, she'll simply lean her head against your body.

When it comes to training, Kelly specifically partners up with you. You're not dying out there or the field, not on her watch.

"No- stay behind me...please. You're not risking your neck for this."

If you're wounded, she'll order the rest soldiers with your group to cover you both as she tries to nurse you back to health. Or at least enough to keep you alive.

Oh, and you're not allowed to go back into the fray. She will make sure so.

Kelly presses a hand to your chest— gently, much more gentle than you would think for somebody like her, "Stay down, solider. You're not getting sent to the Machine today."

Often very blunt with you, but she will also be unnecessarily apologetic about the things she says at the same time. Said apologies are done in private, of course.

To be honest, she's not used to it. Friends, love, being soft...she's terribly lonely, deep down.

Therefore, she often second guesses everything.

You become her favorite and probably only vice. While other soliders smoke, drink, gamble, and rush into battle with little to no regard for their health, being with you is how Kelly chooses to indulge.

Please be patient with her. She has so many walls up, and it's been so long since anyone has seen her without them.

If you call her pretty, beautiful, or any of that, she'll get really bashful.

"I wouldn't...you're just buttering me up." "You really think so?"

She struggles with a lot of things. Being a contam, and also being a woman and her feelings towards womanhood (transfem Kelly when???) especially in such a stereotypically masculine role, and no longer looking human.

If you remind her of these things, remind her of her humanity and her womanhood, the softness and kindness deep within herself, she will be eternally grateful.

If you die, Kelly feels as though a part of her dies too. She'll guard your corpse like a dog until it's time to go back, and if she can't reach it she's scouring the fields for any part of you.

She'll stand by the Machine, waiting for you...or if only parts of you come back.

If she dies, she immediately comes to you.

Starts using you as an example to other soliders. She's trained you well, and she's making sure everyone knows.

"Come on, now! Straighten that form! (Insert name)'s got it all figured out, and I expect the same for you!" "You'll be partnered up with (Insert name) today, seeing as how you need the help."

All in all, she's trying her best to juggle being vulnerable with you and keeping an air of professionalism about.

A/N:Trying to get back into the swing of it all. Who knew that a cold, almost failing your classes, switching medications, and your family getting sick during a giant snowstorm that's kept you inside for 4 days would've stopped one from writing? I digress. Gahhh I love Kelly so much, although I fear I didn't do her justice. Oh well.